LIVE BLOGGING with Community Editor Eddie Rivera: Dodgers Lose to the Padres, 5-1, at the Ravine

Dodger relief pitcher Chris Hatcher, who has been collecting bad performances like dark sweaters collect lint, helped the Dodgers to their fifth straight loss tonight, this time 4-1, to the lowly San Diego Padres, last place in the NL West. Hatcher gave up 2 hits, 3 earned runs, and a home run to Kemp, in 28 pitches.

The usually reliable Kenley Jansen also gave up a double and an earned run, compounding the Dodger relief pitching woes.

Dodger bats also went somber and silent tonight, as they left nine runners on base. The victory by the Padres was their first in ten games against the Dodgers, going back to last season.

The Dodgers now lead the Arizona Diamondbacks by 1/2 a game, while the Giants, rocked by the Mets 13-1, tonight, dropped to third.

Here’s how we blogged tonights game:

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Following a disastrous 4-game sweep by the Miami Marlins, managed by last year’s manager Don Mattingly, the Dodgers hope to get up off the floor tonight against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers have a nine-game win streak going against the Padres, who are currently in last place in the NL West.

The Dodgers are currently tied for first with the San Francisco Giants, and will send Alex Wood (1-2) to the mound against the Padres’ rookie Cesar Vargas. (0-0).

Dodgers taking the field, Prince on the PA…

FIRST INNING

Top

John Jay singles to right.

Will Myers (no relation) beats out a single to first, while Jay is way out at second.

Matt Kemp goes to a full count, then hits in to an apparent double play. THIS JUST IN: Review shows that Kemp is safe at first. Two outs.

Melvin Upton, Jr. gets to 1-2, and then swings, and then stands near the batter’s box staring off into space….

Bottom

The guy with the banker’s name, Chase Utley, is up. He takes one for a strike. and then 1-1, and  then 2-1, it’s as if the count is different with every pitch or something. Now it’s 2-2, and he flies out to stage left.

Corey Seager grounds out to first, and not in a good way.

Justin Turner, part time chia pet, takes a BIG swing for 1-2,…and then a fast ball hits him on the left arm.

Adrian Gonzales gets to 1-1, and then 2-1, and then 2-2 with a hard drive foul outside the first base line…it’s 3-2, and Gonzales strolls to first base.

Yasiel Puig grounds out to second.

Dodgers 0, Padres 0

SECOND INNING

Top

Derek Norris flies out deep to Puig in center.

Alexei Ramirez walks back to the dugout. It’s a long story.

Adam Rosales is at 2-2, with two out, and starts to run to first base, all happy. “Not so fast,” says home plate umpire Mike Winters.

Dodgers 0, Padres 0

Bottom

Yasmani Grandal (no relation), gets to 2-2, (Eek, this keyboard is filthy),  and then looks wistfully and poignantly at the home plate ump before returning to the dugout.

Carl Crawford loses a foot race to first, following a promising shot past the pitcher. Alas.

Joc Pederson gets to a really full count, and then walks to first.

Pitcher Alex Wood singles to first, running it out really slowly.

Chase Utley is suddenly at 0-2, then 1-2, then strikes out. Both pitchers now working on one-hitters. ( I make myself laugh, per se.)

Dodgers 0, Padres 0

THIRD INNING

Top

Jemile Weeks is very out.

Cesar Vargas strikes out.

John Jay (not the colonial-era statesman), gets thrown out at first.

Bottom

Corey Seager doubles to center.

Justin Turner can see Seager from where he is, and gets to 2-1, then looks at the ump like a teen who got told he can’t go to the big dance. “Jeepers, Dad! Everyone will be there!” Seager stays put.

Gonzales also strikes out, without the look.

Puig is at 1-1, then flies out to second.

Dodgers 0, Padres 0

FOURTH INNING

Top

Will Myers is at 3-1, then 3-2, then is glancing at a strike thatwentbyhimthisfast!

“Former Dodger” Matt Kemp doubles off the center field wall.

Melvin Upton singles Kemp home.

Derek Norris gets to 0-2, while Upton chills at first. 1-2…then walks back to the dugout, his head down.

Alexei Ramirez, 0 for 1 this lovely evening, is at 2-0, then 2-1…then he drops one into short center field.

Adam Rosales flies out to Puig to end the inning.

Padres 1, Dodgers 0

Bottom

Yasmani Grandal is all even at 1-1, but not for long. It’s 1-2, 2-2, and then he hits one deep to center, but gets shot down at center.

Carl Crawford is taken out neatly at first.

Joc Pederson thought about bunting, and then stopped thinking about it. And then thought about it again, and beats out a bunt to first.

Alex Wood gets walked. Chase Utley comes on to “Kashmir.”

Utley gets to 2-0, 2-1, 2-2, then strikes out ugly to a vicious sinking curve.

Padres 1, Dodgers 0

FIFTH INNING

Top

Jemile Weeks strikes out.

Cesar Vargas also returns to the dugout.

Jon Jay gets to a full count, and then walks during a really good “wave.”

Will Myers flies out to center.

Bottom

I went to get cookies. Dodgers go down 1,2,3.

Padres 1, Dodgers 0

Bottom

Matt Kemp (no relation), gets to 1-2….and strikes right out.

Melvin Upton, Jr. looks at the ump with pleading eyes, and is still out.

Derek Norris flies out right at Puig.

Padres 1, Dodgers 0

Bottom

Puig flies out to the catcher.

Chat show on the San Diego mound. Brad Hand now pitching. Go make a jelly bread. I’ll be right here.

On 3-1, Grandal homers to deep left, near your car. Game is tied.

Carl Crawford is out at first.

Joc Pederson flies out deeeeeep to center.

Dodgers 1, Padres 1.

SEVENTH INNING

Top

Ramirez singles.

Adam Rosales hits one right at Turner, who backhands it like it aint no thang…

Jemile Weeks (no relation) is at 2-2, then hits into a double play.

Dodgers 1, Padres 1.

Bottom

Kiké “Kiké!” Hernandez is pinch hitting. He flies out to second.

Chase Utley strikes out. Again.

Corey Seager is out, out, out.

EIGHTH INNING

Top

Chris Hatcher (?!!) now pitching for the Blue Ones.

Brett Wallace gets walked by Hatcher. Buckle up, buttercup.

(Wallace gets into a first base dance with Hatcher. So far, Wallace is leading.)

John Jay hits one off Hatcher’s leg, and it caroms into left field, moving Wallace to third. Jay is at first.

Will Myers strikes out. Who knew? One down.

Matt Kemp gets 0-1, then 0-2, then homers into deep left field. Hatcher’s ERA now passes overhead planes.

Hatcher strikes out Norris.

Ramirez is out at first. Damage long done.

Padres 4, Dodgers 1.

Bottom

Justin Turner strikes. Out.

Gonzales reaches first while I was away.

Puig leaves Gonzales at first, striking out, looking.

Grandal strikes out, also looking.

Padres 4, Dodgers 1.

NINTH INNING

Top

(Kenley Jansen now pitching for the Dodgers)

Adam Rosales doubles to deep left.

Weeks lays down a sacrifice bunt, and Rosales moves to third. THAT CALL AT FIRST IS NOW UNDER REVIEW. Weeks is still out.

Travis Jankowski singles, and Rosales comes home.

John Jay strikes out, and Jankowski gets caught stealing. So, there’s that.

Padres 5, Dodgers 1.

Bottom

Carl Crawford flies out to short left.

Joc Pederson strikes out.

Howie Kendrick singles just underneath Melvin Upton Jr.

Chase Utley (0 for 4 tonight), is far out at first. Make that 0 for 5. Night-night!

FINAL: San Diego 5, Dodgers 1.